| This question <456-1|215> overall <194|196-1> Che: <168|212>. |
| Question 321: Describe the inner contradiction of monetary abstract wealth which determine the goals of a miser, and the ridiculous contradiction of the means by which he is trying to reach this goal. |
| [195] Che: The primary goal of the miser is the accumulation of monetary abstract wealth. There is no end to the goal of acquiring and hoarding this monetary wealth. In his effort to accumulate he sells as much of the commodity which he produces, in order to garner additional monetary wealth, which he then hoards. He works and produces with the sole intention to gain, only to hoard his monetary gain. The miser's hoarding of monetary abstract wealth is further bolstered by the Spartan lifestyle which he adopts to act as a buffer against any loss of his monetary hoard. As Marx points out he lives a life of poverty to fulfill his lust for gold. 231:1 This behavior is ironic but I believe indicative of the behavior which capitalism fosters. The lust for monetary gain is a great motivator for behavioral change, however irrational it may be. |
| The behavior of the miser is contradictory in that the miser deprives himself of life in all it aspects in order to secure his hoard. In his effort to abstain from circulating his money hoard, he neglects the enjoyment that life can bring. His desire to accumulate monetary wealth robs him of the virtues of social interaction, and pursuits that would enrich his life. His life is then determined by the quest for money, which holds him hostage. Thus the contradiction is that he has the wealth of a prince and lives like a pauper, but as it is pointed out that as long as the miser's wealth is in the form of money it does nothing for him, and the miser is subject to his money. The stingy manner in which he circulates his money in the economy deprives him of the real wealth that is possessed in the commodity. |
| Another contradiction to the miser's behavior lies within the qualitative nature and dynamic inherent in monetary abstract wealth. So blinded is the miser of the true form of wealth, he pursues the hard and tangible form of monetary abstract wealth. He labors to produce commodities that will yield him the most in monetary wealth, only to separate with the minimum amount to keep production going. Hence the term, “buying cheap and selling dear.” The miser acts to only increase the size of his monetary hoard, to sell as much as he can. The irony of this behavior is that the miser overlooks the process by which real wealth is formed. He throws his labor power into the commodities he sells not realizing that this is where real wealth, and value is found. |
| Marx's observations about the miser I think have particular relevance in today's capitalistic society. Many in the quest for wealth and success in the market place are forced to alter behavior and are forced to live in social poverty. How many people work 50 to 60 hours per week in the quest for wealth, or for a promotion that will bring increased wealth, or to bring extra profit for the firm for which they labor. However they live in a state of abject poverty. They deny themselves the social aspects of life, of social relationships, of family relationships. They in addition give up their time in the form of labor power to amass and hoard monetary abstract wealth. |
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